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A review by craftysnailtail
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I gave myself a while to process this one before rating. Most of the stars are for how unique this book was, and the rest are for the passion between Blue and Red, which I adored. Although the format was difficult to follow (as an audiobook, especially), I still think it's an interesting spin on your typical romance novel. I had fun reading this book! It's a perfect book club pick, because I suspect people have a lot to say after they finish and it's a quick read.
However, I'm struggling with whether I think this book is well written or overly pretentious. Maybe it's both! The lack of explanation, background, world building, etc kind of drove me crazy. The writing itself often felt convoluted. Like they were going for deep poetry, but only had those single word fridge magnets to do it with. Sometimes I had absolutely no idea what was going on plot wise, but it kind of didn't matter? And I can't decide if the fact it didn't matter is a good thing or a bad thing lol
I don't think this book was as great as it was trying to be. But I still appreciate it. It made me stop and reconsider what I need from a sci-fi novel, or from a romance novel, in order to enjoy it. Because for all that I felt it was lacking, I STILL enjoyed it.
However, I'm struggling with whether I think this book is well written or overly pretentious. Maybe it's both! The lack of explanation, background, world building, etc kind of drove me crazy. The writing itself often felt convoluted. Like they were going for deep poetry, but only had those single word fridge magnets to do it with. Sometimes I had absolutely no idea what was going on plot wise, but it kind of didn't matter? And I can't decide if the fact it didn't matter is a good thing or a bad thing lol
I don't think this book was as great as it was trying to be. But I still appreciate it. It made me stop and reconsider what I need from a sci-fi novel, or from a romance novel, in order to enjoy it. Because for all that I felt it was lacking, I STILL enjoyed it.